Sunday, March 22, 2020

During this time, as we all adapt to the important measures due to coronavirus (COVID-19) we understand that you will continue to have a need for legal services. We continue to be here to help. Here is some useful information, including links to resources.

Out of respect for our staff, our clients, and the general public, Bennet Waugh Cornehas taken steps to change the way we will deliver our legal services to you. The lawyers will be working from home offices, and will be limiting and co-ordinating their attendance to the physical office so our numbers are at or below the recommendations. We do not anticipate any significant disruption to working on your behalf while we carry out the measures needed during COVID-19. We have access to emails and voicemail, but our response time may be delayed, or outside of our usual practice hours. Meetings, including 4 way settlement meetings, and collaborative meetings will occur by video or teleconference, or other means discussed with your lawyer. From the outset of the issue, we have taken proactive steps to reduce the spread of the virus, and the impact on our communities, through limiting attendance to the office, cleaning, and other practices to meet, or exceed the levels recommended by our government, and the World Health Organization associated with COVID-19. We will continue to adapt and adjust our practices.

Staff is in attendance at the office to distribute faxes, mail or couriered documents, but we are not open to the general public. If you need to sign documents, please contact our office to make those arrangements in advance.

The majority of in-person court hearings in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba have been cancelled until April 17, 2020, however the Law Court registry is still open, meaning that there is continued access to the justice system. If you have an ongoing legal matter with upcoming filing deadlines, we remain able to assist. It is expected that the profession will allow for greater flexibility for extensions as required.

If you are a new or existing client, and have been served with documents, such as a Petition or Petition for Divorce, Notice of Motion to Vary, or other documents, it remains important to follow the filing deadlines set out in those documents. Some “hearings” do not require the attendance of lawyers or parties, and it is anticipated those “hearings” will continue. Failure to file the documents by the deadline, if other arrangements are not made, may result in an order being pronounced without your involvement.

If you are facing legal issues flowing from separation, including resolving parenting issues, support and division of assets, we remain able to assist you to resolve these issues. Many legal problems are capable of being resolved without requiring court intervention. All of our lawyers practice family law, and some have the added practice areas of real estate, will and estate work, and civil litigation. All of our lawyers are experienced and skilled in negotiation. Many of our lawyers are trained in collaborative practice, and mediation. For those situations which require court assistance, the court will continue to hear matters which they consider urgent, even during this period. For important, but less urgent matters, we can assist you in resolving those issues which can be sorted out and settled now, and for those issues which are more difficult to fully settle, we can assist by preparing your court documents, so that you are in a position to have the matter heard as quickly as possible once usual court operations resume.

While it is natural to experience a sense of unease, remember that this is temporary. It is also a time for us to slow down from our typical rushed lives, and to enjoy quality time with our families.

All of us at Bennet Waugh Corne will be doing our absolute best to ensure that we are able to continue to provide quality legal services during these confusing times presented by COVID-19. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Remember, we can help.

Please visit this site for further updates, and recommendations to assist you and your family.

As the situation is quickly changing, here are some links that we have found informative:

Notice to Readers:

The articles on our website are for general information purposes only, and are not intended to be complete or exhaustive descriptions of the law. The articles and comments should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. The articles are current only as at the date they are posted on the website, and the law is subject to change without notice. If you require legal advice or opinion on your own unique fact situation, we would be pleased to offer you our assistance and we invite you to contact us.